What is Harm Reduction?
Drug and alcohol abuse are increasingly common in the United States. Almost daily, you can hear media reports ranging from drug related crimes to celebrities in rehab, alcohol related car accidents to “MADD,” “D.A.R.E”, and “SADD” programs and events in your community. Historically, most rehab programs have focused on abstinence as the only approach for recovering addicts. For many people, this is simply not the most effective way to deal with substance abuse, particularly if you are dealing with co-occurring disorders, such as alcohol abuse and depression. In these cases, a new method of therapy has emerged, and is proving to be a more effective, empathetic treatment for the struggling alcoholic or addict. Harm reduction and substance abuse is a practical, empathic, and respectful way to manage drug and alcohol use.
The advantage of harm reduction and substance abuse is that it respects and empowers the individual in a therapeutic relationship. The individual and therapist work together in an open, communicative relationship to discuss how to reduce negative effects of substance abuse, without necessarily having to abstain from using entirely. Harm reduction is a model of treatment that focus’ on helping the user reduce their use of substances, particularly when they are not ready for abstinence.
This method does not, by any means, condone or promote drug use. This is a common misconception regarding the principles of harm reduction. What it does, in fact, is acknowledge that drug abuse and use is a sensitive matter, and that, in order to treat substance abuse effectively, all options should be considered. This does not eliminate abstinence as an effective option should the individual and therapist decide that it is the best choice. However, in harm reduction and drug abuse, treatment centers understand that in not everyone is ready to get completely abstinent at the same time, and in these cases reducing the risks of substance abuse may be more helpful than no treatment at all. In fact, reducing use is often the first step towards abstinence and in this way, our treatment center believes that harm reduction and abstinence may work hand in hand.
A common example of harm reduction and drug abuse is with alcohol abuse. Alcohol can be an extremely high-risk drug with fatal consequences. However, harm reduction and drug abuse indicates that the goal of the therapist is not to “cure” the alcoholism, but rather identify risks and alternatives to reduce use, including treatment programs. This openness and respect is usually very well received, and reduces potential harm from drug use, without alienating users who are initially opposed to abstinence. Harm reduction is increasing in prevalence, because it well received by clients because it focus’ on respect, autonomy, education and its focus on self determination and responsibility.
Harm reduction is not only effective for addicts, substance abusers, and alcoholics, however. Harm reduction has been proven effective with alcohol abuse as well. Alcohol is one of the most commonly used substances, but when not used responsibly, can have harmful consequences. Harm reduction and alcohol abuse operates on the same principle that harm reduction and drug and substance abuse follow, but does not only focus on addicts. Rather, since alcohol is legal, accessible, and common, harm reduction and alcohol abuse works to effectively promote the safe use of alcohol and how to avoid harm through unsafe and irresponsible drinking. If this cannot be achieved, then abstinence should be explored.
Because our treatment center relies on evidence based practices, our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program shares many common methods with other successful rehab programs. The foundations of our treatment program for substance abuse also rely on the principles of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, stages of change and cognitive behavioral therapy to promote recovery from alcohol abuse and drug treatment. In fact, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcohol abuse and drug treatment in peer reviewed treatment outcome studies. Our treatment center provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting. If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol abuse or needs drug treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery. Treatment for substance abuse can be highly successful. Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.
Drug and alcohol abuse are increasingly common in the United States. Almost daily, you can hear media reports ranging from drug related crimes to celebrities in rehab, alcohol related car accidents to “MADD,” “D.A.R.E”, and “SADD” programs and events in your community. Historically, most rehab programs have focused on abstinence as the only approach for recovering addicts. For many people, this is simply not the most effective way to deal with substance abuse, particularly if you are dealing with co-occurring disorders, such as alcohol abuse and depression. In these cases, a new method of therapy has emerged, and is proving to be a more effective, empathetic treatment for the struggling alcoholic or addict. Harm reduction and substance abuse is a practical, empathic, and respectful way to manage drug and alcohol use.
The advantage of harm reduction and substance abuse is that it respects and empowers the individual in a therapeutic relationship. The individual and therapist work together in an open, communicative relationship to discuss how to reduce negative effects of substance abuse, without necessarily having to abstain from using entirely. Harm reduction is a model of treatment that focus’ on helping the user reduce their use of substances, particularly when they are not ready for abstinence.
This method does not, by any means, condone or promote drug use. This is a common misconception regarding the principles of harm reduction. What it does, in fact, is acknowledge that drug abuse and use is a sensitive matter, and that, in order to treat substance abuse effectively, all options should be considered. This does not eliminate abstinence as an effective option should the individual and therapist decide that it is the best choice. However, in harm reduction and drug abuse, treatment centers understand that in not everyone is ready to get completely abstinent at the same time, and in these cases reducing the risks of substance abuse may be more helpful than no treatment at all. In fact, reducing use is often the first step towards abstinence and in this way, our treatment center believes that harm reduction and abstinence may work hand in hand.
A common example of harm reduction and drug abuse is with alcohol abuse. Alcohol can be an extremely high-risk drug with fatal consequences. However, harm reduction and drug abuse indicates that the goal of the therapist is not to “cure” the alcoholism, but rather identify risks and alternatives to reduce use, including treatment programs. This openness and respect is usually very well received, and reduces potential harm from drug use, without alienating users who are initially opposed to abstinence. Harm reduction is increasing in prevalence, because it well received by clients because it focus’ on respect, autonomy, education and its focus on self determination and responsibility.
Harm reduction is not only effective for addicts, substance abusers, and alcoholics, however. Harm reduction has been proven effective with alcohol abuse as well. Alcohol is one of the most commonly used substances, but when not used responsibly, can have harmful consequences. Harm reduction and alcohol abuse operates on the same principle that harm reduction and drug and substance abuse follow, but does not only focus on addicts. Rather, since alcohol is legal, accessible, and common, harm reduction and alcohol abuse works to effectively promote the safe use of alcohol and how to avoid harm through unsafe and irresponsible drinking. If this cannot be achieved, then abstinence should be explored.
Because our treatment center relies on evidence based practices, our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program shares many common methods with other successful rehab programs. The foundations of our treatment program for substance abuse also rely on the principles of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, stages of change and cognitive behavioral therapy to promote recovery from alcohol abuse and drug treatment. In fact, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcohol abuse and drug treatment in peer reviewed treatment outcome studies. Our treatment center provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting. If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol abuse or needs drug treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery. Treatment for substance abuse can be highly successful. Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.
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